IX.—THE 
MELANCHRA RUBESCENS. 
(Xylophasia rubescens, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii. 489; Morrisonia 
rubescens, Hamps., Cat. v., 376, pl. Ixxxviii. 28; Melanchra 
rubescens, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., xix. 25.) 
(Plate IX., fig. 4 $; 5 2.) 
This fine species has occurred on Mount Egmont and 
at Rangataua and Waiouru in the North Island. It is 
probably generally distributed throughout the South Island 
and has been found on Stewart Island. 
The expansion of the wings ranges from 13 to 1% inches. 
The fore-wings are pale orange-brown, the orbicular and clavi- 
form spots are faintly margined with reddish-brown; the reni- 
form is dark brown and very conspicuous; there are two large 
reddish-brown markings on the termen. The hind-wings are 
grey tinged with red. The cilia of all the wings are reddish- 
brown. 
This species varies in the shape and extent of the 
markings on the termen of the fore-wings, which occasion- 
ally cause the pale ground colour to form tooth-like projec- 
tions. It also varies considerably in the intensity of the 
other markings, and in the depth of the ground colour. 
In the female there are often white patches on the costal 
and subterminal areas. 
The perfect insect appears from October till March, 
and is attracted by sugar and light. It is usually found 
in open situations and often occurs at considerable eleva- 
tions. It is very common on the Tableland of Mount 
Arthur, at an altitude of 3,500 feet’ above the sea-level. 
MELANCHRA PASCOI. 
(Morrisonia pascoei, Howes, Trans. N.Z. Inst., xliv. 205.) 
(Plate IX., fig. 1, 2 &@ varieties; 39.) 
This very distinct species was discovered by Mr. Howes 
at Orepuki. It was also taken plentifully by Mr. M. O. 
Pasco at Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and has occurred 
at Flagstaff Hill, near Dunedin. 
The expansion of the wings of the male is 14 inches; of 
the female about 12 inches. The fore-wings of the male are 
bright reddish-brown with indistinct blackish markings; there 
is a very faint basal line; the first line is obscurely indicated; 
the subterminal line is marked by cloudy patches near veins 3 
and 7 but hardly traceable towards the apex; the orbicular is 
elongate-oval, very faintly outlined in brown; the reniform very 
distinct, crescentic, bordered with dull ochreous towards the 
termen. The hind-wings are dark greyish-brown narrowly bor- 
dered wtih reddish-brown; the cilia of all the wings are reddish- 
brown. The female has the fore-wings pale ochreous, the mark- 
ings are similar but much more distinct than in the male. On 
the underside in both sexes there is a well-marked blackish 
lunule in the disc of each wing and a well-defined curved line 
at about two-thirds passing across both wings from costa to 
dorsum. 
A very distinct variety occurs in both sexes having a 
broad, cloudy longitudinal stripe on the fore-wings extend- 
ing from the base to the tornus. 
The perfect insect appears from August till December, 
and is taken at sugar. 
NOCTUIDAE. 71 
This species has a considerable superficial resemblance 
to Melanchra rubescens from which it may be distinguished 
by its smaller size, shorter and somewhat broader wings, 
relatively larger crests and distinct markings on the under- 
surface. 
Described and figured from specimens which were 
given to me by Mr. Pasco. 
MELANCHRA LIGNANA. 
(Hadena lignana, Walk., Cat., xi. 758; Morrisonia lignand, 
Hamps., Cat., v. 383, pl. lxxxix. 3; Mamestra lignana, Meyr., 
Trans. N.Z. Inst., xix. 26.) 
(Plate VIII., fig. 21 @; Frontispiece, fig. 5 egg.) 
This rather pale-looking species has occurred at 
Morere, Hawke’s Bay, is very common at Wellington, and 
has also been found at Blenheim, Mount Hutt, Dunedin, 
and Paradise, Lake Wakatipu. 
The expansion of the wings is 14 inches. The fore-wings 
are greyish-cream-colour, slightly paler on the costa and darker 
towards the base and centre. There are two very distinct black- 
ish transverse marks on the costa near the base, and two others 
at about one-third; the stigmata are all sharply and finely out- 
lined in blackish-brown; the orbicular is oval, the claviform tri- 
angular, the reniform large and oblong, containing a smaller 
black-edged mark in its centre, and a blackish blotch towards 
its lower margin; the second line is faint and very jagged; there 
are two dark patches on the termen; the pale ground colour 
forming two sharp, tooth-like markings slightly below the 
middle; the termen itself is slightly indented, and the cilia are 
dark brown. The hind-wings are dark grey with the cilia white. 
Some specimens of this insect are darker than others, 
but in other respects there are no important variations. 
The perfect insect appears from October till April. 
It comes freely to sugar and to light, and is often taken at 
rest on trees and fences in the daytime. Specimens are 
occasionally met with in the early winter. 
MELANCHRA STIPATA. 
(Xylina stipata, Walk., Cat., xxxiii. 753; Morrisonia stipata, 
Hamps., Cat., v. 379; Mamestra stipata, Meyr., Trans. N.Z. 
Inst.) Kix.) 205) 
(Plate VIIL, fig. 35 4, 36 @.) 
This fine species has occurred at Mount Egmont and 
Wellington in the North Island, and in the South Island 
at Christchurch, Moeraki, Dunedin, Lake Wakatipu, Ore- 
puki and Invercargill. It also occurs on Stewart Island. 
The expansion of the wings is 1? inches. The fore-wings 
are rich brown; there is a shaded, paler brown, longitudinal 
line on the costa, and an extensive irregular patch of the same 
colour from about two-thirds to within a short distance .of the 
termen; the orbicular is large, oval, oblique, pale yellowish- 
brown; the claviform is semicircular, broadly margined with 
black; the reniform is dull grey, with one large and one or two 
small white marks towards the termen; the termen is broadly 
shaded with dark blackish-brown, except near the apex of the 
wing and a little below the middle. The hind-wings are dark 
brownish-grey, with the cilia reddish-brown. The female is 
paler with a slightly olive tinge. Both sexes vary a little in the 
depth of their colouring. 

